MANILA – The Malacañang said the alleged recruitment of students in Metro Manila-based schools by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is not a “cause of worry.”
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Friday said he was “hardly” surprised with the idea that communist rebels are recruiting students to join their plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
“That’s intelligence report of the AFP. That’s their job. And quite frankly, if you ask me, it hardly surprises me because of course, the CPP-NPA (New People’s Army) will try to recruit students,” Roque said.
“But let’s face it, they are recruiting. It’s not a cause of worry, it’s just a statement of fact, but we have no doubt that none of the schools [is] openly supportive of such initiatives,” he added.
Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief-of-staff for operations Brigadier General Antonio Parlade Jr. has identified 18 schools in Metro Manila where the CPP is allegedly recruiting members.
According to Parlade, in recruiting their possible members, members of CPP are conducting film showing in schools about the dark years of martial law to incite students to rebel against the government.
“The CPP-NPA is too ambitious on their efforts to overthrow the government. They can dream on,” Roque said. “But as far as the President is concern, there is no effort to curtail academic freedom of expression.”
AFP Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. said during the Senate’s budget hearing on Tuesday that at least 10 universities in Metro Manila have allegedly been organized by a broad coalition led by CPP.
The “Red October” plot is a combined armed struggle and legal struggle by the CPP-NPA using the broad coalition with all the opposition, including the youth or students and labor sectors, in hopes to unseat Duterte./PN
